Lecture: 3 hours/week
Learning activities may include recorded lectures, group work, presentations, case studies, discussion boards, preparation of client handouts, quizzes, written assignments, client communication simulations and guest speakers. Students will prepare and present case materials based on their small animal hospital clinical experience.
Transfusion medicine:
- canine and feline blood-types
- blood typing procedures
- cross-matching of blood for transfusion
Urinalysis:
- sample collection techniques
- gross evaluation of urine
- urine specific gravity
- biochemical analysis
- sediment preparation and analysis
Immunological and serological testing:
- ELISA, serum agglutination and precipitation tests
- serum protein electrophoresis
- antibody titres
- in-clinic test kits for heartworm and feline immunodeficiency and leukemia viruses
Whole blood and serum chemistry:
- sample collection and handling
- record keeping and lab requisition forms
- testing procedures
- quality control
- manual testing
Endocrine and major organ testing:
- thyroid gland function
- adrenocortical gland function
- glucose homeostasis
- hepatic function
- renal function
Cytology and histopathology:
- tissue sampling, collection and preservation techniques
- preparation and staining
- gross and microscopic tissue and fluid analysis
Microbiology:
- pathogen growth patterns, morphology, testing techniques and control methods
- sample collection, including use of culture media
- gross colony and microscopic organism evaluation including staining techniques
- biochemical analysis
- laboratory safety and quality control
- basics of antimicrobial sensitivity testing
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- describe veterinary blood types, cross-matching and blood-typing procedures;
- describe safe handling and preparation of a urine sample, including the steps to a complete urinalysis;
- discuss the components of a serum chemistry profile and recognize abnormalities;
- describe common serological and immunological veterinary testing procedures;
- explain proper collection, handling and preparation of tissue and fluid samples for analysis;
- describe the application of staining techniques, microbiological culture media use and additional testing steps for microscopic organism identification.
Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on:
Assignments 20-50% (no assignment worth more than 20%)
Quizzes 10-30% (no quiz worth more than 20%)
Final Exam 20-40%
Total 100%
Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:
- Sirois, M. (Current Edition). Laboratory Procedures for Veterinary Technicians. Elsevier.
Students in the Veterinary Technology program are required to maintain a minimum grade of C in all courses in order to progress in the program.